Expansion valve



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C. C. HANSON ET AL vJually 24, 1923.

EXPANSION VALVE Originl Filed May 2l, 1921 a;C i t1Zen-, of; the/United States, and JOHN.

\ kind.,

Patented July 24, 1923.

`CEIAQRIES, C.I-IlffL-LTSOIT.ANDA JOHNLTWARDOWSKY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .ASSIGNORS-.-

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS', TC) UNIVER- CQRPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Sill CORPORATION, O F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS., `A

EXPANSION VALVE.

Application ledv'rIVlIay 21, 1921, Serial No. 471,433;

Taallwlwm t mayconccm:

Be .italrnown that We, CHARLES C. HANsoN,

Tivamioivsnr, av citizen ,j of Russia, both residing` at Chicago, and State :,oflllinois, have invented certain new` and useful Improvements in an Expan. s ion-` ValvegandmWedo;y hereby declare. the following` tobe anfull, clear, and exact de.- scription ofthe invention, suchaswill enabjlefothers skilled` inthe art; to which it-appertains to-.Inafke 3 and; use; the same;

Qur inventionrelates.to lvalves .and in one.`

oflits general aspects aims to provide avalve construction-iin' which the position of the valve member readily be varied by means disposed entirelyr outside ofV the casing ofthe valve, thereby permitting` such an adjustment to bez'made Without danger of leakage and Without;V employing a stuiling box orpacking-,of any kind.`

More particularly,-` our invention relates to-expansionznvalves suitableforuse as parts otrefrigerating systems and aims` to provide .a\fsimple inexpensive, compact and` easily adjusted type in which the valve opening canzreadilybe adjusted so as to vary thefeifective throttling vaction While mainltainingthe valve casing permanently Sealed.

In this-aspect, ourinvention aims to yprovide anfexpansion valve4 construction in whichno.

elements Whatsoeverextend movably through the valve casingandwvhich .therefore will'require` n0 stuiinf;` box` or packing of any lt; also aims toprovide a construction4 in which 4the desired adjusting movement-can-V readily; be imparted to the movable mem-berofgthevalve While maintaining` this member-i in such a-relation to the cooperatingl portas; t0 insure-a uniform spacing of: the associated parts, thereby-'securing the passing of the compressed gas or liquid past the-valveffmemberfin aeiilm ofuniform thick- 11,6SSF5A l :[II;another-aspect,y our; invention aims to provide-a1 ValV@ I1-Whicil1 one of the two relatively- Inova-ble; members. is: supported from the casingA ofi thev valve; and is, adapted tobegmoved by a; suitable flexing off the casing, and in this aspect our invention aims to in the county or" Cook` Renewed vFebruary 8,` 1923.A

provide a flexible casing adapted by-its resiliency to moveA the movable valve member in one. direction; also, to provide cooperate ing means disposed externally off the casing` for iiexinaf this casino andthereb r movin@ applying' av symmetrically distributed flexingpressure'to the same. Furthermore, We aim to .provide an arrangement 'for this purpose in which metal tubingmay be effectively used `for the flexible casing, and aim teemploy a construction recpuiring only simple machiningr operations for the manufacture of the valve. Still further and also more detailed objects will appear` from the folloivingv specification and from the accompanying; drawings, in Which Fig. l is a 'frontelevationof an expansion valve embodying our invention. j

F ig. 2 is a longitudinal'and central-verti cal section through the same.

f Fig. 3 is a vertical? section taken alongfthe center lineof Fig. 2.

Figi, 4J is a horizontal section taken aionrr the correspondingly numbered line in Fig. 31. ln one ofits highly commercial aspects,

our. invention relates to an expansionyalve suitable for use as a part of a mechanical refrigerator tor household use, such as the.

one for which certain other important fea-M turesV are shown incur copending application No. 479752; filed: June23, 192]., `on a retfi.Qferatingv system. In the arrangement of. the saidcopendingr` application, thetubev tube 2. Both of the said tubes may desirably be supported by a casting 3 arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which casting forms the support for all parts of our valve. Fastened within a vertical bore in the support 3 is an outlet tube 4 which has its main portion laterally spaced from the wall of thensaid bore so as to aiord a passage through which the compressed gas flowing from the inlet tube 1 may pass to the upper or free end 0f the outlet tube 4.

This free end of ythe outlet tube 4 extends.

into a transverse bore 5 in the casting 3, so that the extreme tip of the tube is disposed between the adjacent ends of a pair of tubes 6 which tightly fit into the bore 5 and are soldered in-to the latter. Each of the tubes 6 has its outer end sealed by a plug 7 and the opposed ends of the two plugs 7 are recessed to Aform supports for the ends of a stiff carrier bar 8 which extends longitudinally of the tubes 6 both through these tubes and through the transverse bore 5 in the casting, and which carrier bar is freely spaced from the bore of the tubes 6. .Secured to the lower face of the bar 8 is a disk 9, which disk is larger in diameter than the outlet tube 4 and is disposed close to the .tip of the latter, both the tube 4 and the disk 9 being preferably made of non-corrosive metal.

Thus arranged, it will be obvious that the distance between the tip of the tube 4 and the disk 9 controls the passage of fluid from the main bore 10 of the tubular casting 3 (which casting forms the outer or inlet tube of the valve) to the inner or outlet tube 4 of the valve, the said outlet tube being connected to the piping 11 of the refrigerator system. Consequently, by varying .the distance between the disk 9 and the tip of the tube 4, the passage of the fluid can be suitably throttled so as to control the rate of expansion of the fluid. To move the closure disk 9 for this purpose, we construct the tubes 6 of a. flexible and resilient material, such as copper tubing and preferably flatten each 0f ythe tubes in its medial portion after `the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 4 so as to increase `its flexibility under strains applied vertically at the end of the tube. These `tubes taken together constitute a flexible casing or tube. To apply such a. strain in a downward direction, we provide a yoke or stirrup 12 secured at its ends to the opposite 'ends of the two tubes 6 and extending through a bore 13 in the casting 3. Threaded into the top of this casting 3 is an adjusting screw 14 having its tip in engagement with the ymiddle of the yoke 12, this adjusting screw being desirably in coaxial alinemen-t with lthe disk 9 and the outlet `tube 4 and desirably having a lock nut 15 threaded upon it for preventing any jarring of the valve as a whole from changing the adjustmentv With the tube, yoke, and associated parts constructed as just described, and with the outlet tube 4 terminating at a considerable distance from the closure disk 9 when the flexible tubes 6 'are not under strain,'it will F be evident from Fig. 2 that there will be a free opening from the bore of the valve member into the outlet tube so; that the compressed liquid entering the inlet bore 10 through the tube l could flow rapidly into the outlet tube 4. By suitably adjusting the screw 14, the yoke 12 can be moved downward to any desired extent so as to approach the closure disk 9, suitably to the tip of the outlet tube 4, thereby effecting the throttled rate of flow desired for insuring the expansion of the compressed liquid within the tube 4 or at least within the adjacent part of the piping 11. By making the bar 8, the tube 6 and the yoke 12 symmetrical with respect to the common axis of the outlet tube 4 and the closure disk 9 and by applying pressure to the yoke through the screw 14 coaxial with the said parts, we can readily balance the strains on the two tubes, so as to maintain the closure disk 9 continuously parallel to the mouth of the tube 4. We can therefore secure a very sensitive and accurate adjustment of theoperative part of the expansion valve with an exceedingly simple construction and one that is not likely to stick or to get out of order. Furthermore, it will be evident from the drawings that we accomplish our purposes with relatively few, inexpensive, and easily machined parts in which the various j oints can readily be sealed by soldering or brazing and in which the adjustment is made without employing any parts extending adjustably `from the outside into the passages. through which the fluid flows. Y

Byv using a metal outlet tube 4 mounted concentrically within .the bore 10 of the casting 3 and admitting the compressed fluid to the valveI casing through the annular space between the tube 4 and the wall ofthe said bore, we provide a valve casing with concentric ports and cause the fluid to flow along both the interior and the exterior of the tube 4. Consequently, since the drop in 4lllll llO temperature of the expanding gas lowers therefore lends itself particularly for use asv a part of theI highly efficient refrigerating,

system disclosed incur above mentioned copendmg application.

It-Will also bef noted th-at the yoke 12,' the plugs 7 and the carrier bar 8 taken together substantially formy a. rigidloop extending through the flexible valvecasing, andfthat` l the adjustmentis madeby: flexingthe casing While maintaining this loop rigid; By forming'the upper part offtlie. supporting castingk into a bracket overhaiiging. the said elon! gated casin #rive can readily secure; the desired alineu mounting fory the: adjustingscreivll', andby, flattening the tubeI portions in planes parallel'tothel mouth ofi thewcontrolled port We avoid any twisting which might interfereA with the. desired uniform i throttling oftheA fluid at. the1inouth of'thisf port.

However; While We have illustrated and described ourinvention; asembodied in: aA form i havingy highly desirable features: of l" arrangement, ive-'dd notl Wish-to; be limited to` the: details ofA the construction and; ar. rangement heredisclosed, nor' to? theeparti be-,madein all, of'these respect-swvithout departing fromthe-spirit, of ourinventionl orl from the appended claims;

NeitherA do We Wish to be limited tothe use of our invention in connectionV with refrigerating systems or as an expansion valve, it being'evident that in its broad aspectsit presents a. valve having its seat disposed-for approach or engagement With a closure ele mentmounted on a rigidcarrier, this carrier being bodily movableiby-flexing the resilient casing which houses-both the valve seat (viz.

the mouth ofthe outlet; tube 4): andthe clos` ure element.l In this connection, it Willbe noted that by making the tubular-,casing symmetrical with respect to the valve seat and. extending atright angles to-;'tlie latter,A We: can readily move; both ends of thev casing;

simultaneously and equally. Consequently the movement ofthejclosure-elementisaxial of thevalve seat and this elementgcan'be at'- tached rigidly to thecarrier 8, thereby permitting a simple and cheap construction.

Te claim as `our invention z* l. The combination` With a valve bodyy having concentric inlet and outlet tubes, off

a closed casing` of resilient mate-rial having a lateral aperture aliningvivith the said tubes,

a` rigid carrier housed by the casiiig and se-` cured to the ends thereof, a closureeelement mounted on the-*carrier and site the mouth ofLone ofthe means` for simultaneously `moving both ends of thecasingvivith respect to the-,valirelbody ber Whose bore affordsfIthe connection'V be?- disposed oppg-, said. tubes, and

thereby moving x the 1 tween the: twovports, a stiffmefmberfcarried and-housed by the-flexible member'and havinga` closure portion:` disposed forv closing one.;ofithe'portsivheri the liexiblemember is suitably. flexed, .and means threaded upon the g supporting'member and operable from outside the: flexible member `for' flexing the latA ter so as to move the closure portion with respect tov the, port adj acentV thereto.

3; The: combination With a valve body having concentric `inlet and;` outlet tubes, ofi

aclose-d; casing'ofresilientqmateri al having a lateral :aperture -aliningwith the said tubes, a: rigidcarrier'housed by the casing and secured, to the ends thereof, a, closureelementmounted v oni thecarrierl anddisposed oppositeA the said` tubes, and L means i for simultaneously movinggboth endsl` of thel casi-rigs with respect tol the valve; body so as Oile-X lthe casing,` thereby-moving the carrier so as to cause the closure element togapproach mouth` of one of; the

the said tube. mouth,` and. adjustable means forimaintaining the-,casing in such flexed dis position y toV hold` the; closure determined mouth.`

element Vat a predistance from the said tube 4, The combination. with avalveibody i havngf an inlet and anioutletf and having a.

seat associated ivithrthefoutle't, ofa tubular casingy made-of resilientmaterial andihousing the said seat and extending transversely of the axisofthe-seat, ay iigidcarrier extending longitudinally of' the casing Within the latterand secured at its ends to the casing, a closure element mountedfon the carrier opposite thefsaid seat. and` normally held away from the seat by the resiliency of the casing, andl means, carried; by the valve body for moving both ends of the casingl simultaneously sofasito flex` the casingand move the carrier axially of the seat to causeftheclosure-element. to` approach the seat; Y

5. A valve comprising a supporting member, a flexible tube secured intermediate of its ends to the :supporting member, the ends ofthe tube being closed and the supporting member having a pairofA ports opening-into the bore'ofthetube, aistifl' barl disposed in the tube longitudinalfthereof and fastened at its ends tothe endsof the tube, a closure element carried by the bar and disposed for closing one of'thesaidports, and means for movingl the, tube ends, WithA respect to the supporting member so astomovefthe bar and the Closure. element with, respect tothe last named port` 6; Avalve as. per claimy 5, in4 which the bemaflexiblec tubeevsecured intermediate ofV its.endstothefsupporting member, the endsofi; the tube4 being i closed and `thessupporting member,- having a, pair. Aof ports opening into the bore of the tube, a stift1V lloop having a portion extending through the tube, a clo-.

vto1one of the ports, and means associated with the part of the loop outside of the tube for moving the loop bodily towards the last named port. i

8. A valve comprising a supporting member, a tube mounted thereon, the supporting member having a pair of ports opening into the bore of the tube, acarrier housed by the tube and fastened to the ends of the tube, anda closure member carried by the carrier and disposed adjacent to one of the ports, the tube being flattened between the said ends and the opening of the ports into the same to-permit a flexing of the tube for moving the carrier so as tov vary the distance between the closure member and the port adjacent thereto. l j

j 9. vIn a valve, Va supporting member, a tube mounted thereon intermediate of the ends of the tube, the supporting member having a port opening into the boreof the 'tube and the ends of the tube being closed,

a carrier housed by thetube and fastened to the ends of the latter, and a closure membercarried by the carrier and positioned adjacent to the said port, the portions of the tubey between the `ends thereof and the connection' tothe supporting member being flattened to permit the tube to be flexed so as to vary the distance from the said port to the carrier and the closure member.

'10. In a valve, a supporting member, a tube mounted thereon intermediate of the ends of the tube, the supporting member having a port opening into the bore of the tube and the ends of the` tube being closed, a carrier housed by the tube and fastened to the ends of the latter, and a closure member `carried by the carrier and positioned adj acent to the said port, the portions of the tube between the endsthereof and the connection to the supporting member being' flattened substantially parallel to the plane'of the opening of the said port so asV to permit the tube to'be flexed to vary thedistance from the said port to both the carrier and the closure member while keeping the closure member substantially parallel to the said plane.

11. A valve as per claim 10, in which the ends of the tube and carrier are symmetrically disposed with respectto the port and the closure member, in combination with means for simultaneously moving both ends of the tube to effect the said flexing.

12. A valve as per claim 10, in which the ends of the tube and carrier are symmetrically disposed with respect to the port and the closure member, in combination with a.

yoke disposed outside thev tube, and Aconnecting the ends thereof', and a screw connecting the yoke with the support land arranged for moving the yoke to flex the. tube symmetrically. i

l13. In a valve, an inner tube projecting beyond an outer tube, a hollow flexible member mounted on the outer tube transversely of the latter and having both tubes opening into the said member medially of the latter, closure means mounted within the flexible member and disposed adjacent to the mouth of the inner tube and movable with respect to the said mouth upon a fiexin of the flexible member, and mea-ns for e ecting such flexin 14:. n a valve, an inner tube projecting beyond an outer tube, a hollow flexible member mounted on the outer tube transversely of the latter and having both tubes opening into the said member medially of the latter, closure means mounted wit-hin the flexible member and .disposed adjacent to the mouth of the inner tube and movable with respect to the said'mouth upon a flexing of the iiexible member and screw means coaxial with the inner tube and arranged for effecting such flexing.

15. In a valve, an inner tube projecting beyond an outer tube, a. hollow flexible' member mounted on the outer tube transversely of the latter and having both tubes opening into the said member medially of the latter, closure means mounted within the flexible member and disposed adjacent to the mouth of the. inner tube and movable with respect to the said mouth upon a flexing of the flexible member, a bracket fast on the outer tube and overhanging the flexible member, and means threadedly connected to the bracket and operating coaxial with the inner tube for effecting such flexing.

16. An expansion valve comprising an inlet tube and an outlet tube of high thermal conductivity disposed within the inlet tube. and means for expanding compressed liquid as it passes from the inlet tube to the outlet tube, whereby the conduction of heat through the outlet tube Will lower 'the temperature of the liquid before the latter is expanded.`

17. A valve comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet port, a tubular casing closed at both ends and having a medial aperture alining with the inlet and outlet ports, one of the ports having its. mouth in a plane parallel to the axis of the tubular casing, a movable closure for the last named port, a carrier for the said closure supported by the tubeends and extending parallel to the said plane, and means operating transversely of the said plane for flexing the casing to move the carrier with respect to the last named port.

18. `A valve comprising a tubular casing closed at bothends, a hollow support substantially central of the casing and communicating with the bore of the casing through a pair of ports, a carrier bar supported by the casing substantially axial of the latter and extending at right; angles to one of the said ports7 a Closure member carried by "the said bar and disposed parallel to the last named port', and means outside the casing and operating in substantial alinement With the said port for flexing the casing so as to ymove the closure member toward the said pont While maintaining the same parallel to the said port.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois? May 13th, 

